World Neurosurg
-
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common primary tumor sites among patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). This disorder is related to neurologic dysfunction and can reduce the quality of life, but the association between MSCC and death is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the occurrence of symptomatic MSCC on overall survival of patients with NSCLC. ⋯ MSCC is an important and independent predictor of NSCLC worse survival. This effect was not influenced by sociodemographic and clinical factors.
-
The molecular mechanisms underlying cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) are incompletely understood. We hypothesized that circulating antiangiogenic factors, such as soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and soluble transforming growth factor β coreceptor, soluble endoglin (sEng), are important markers of their pathophysiology. ⋯ Serum levels of sFlt-1 are increased in patients with aSAH who are at risk for severe vasospasm. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to evaluate whether sFlt-1 levels may predict onset of severe vasospasm and DCI.
-
Increasing experience with intraventricular neuroendoscopic procedures shows good results in the combination of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and tumor biopsy. Other possible combinations are mainly presented in subgroups in the literature. Here, we present our experience with combined intraventricular procedures within 1 setting over the last 2 decades. ⋯ A combination of different intraventricular endoscopic procedures is safe and reliable, bearing similar risks of morbidities and mortality to single neuroendoscopic procedures. This study is one of the largest series in the literature and has similar low complication rates to others. Fornix contusion is the most frequent intraoperative complication in these patients. However, obvious clinical correlation is rare.
-
The incidence of postoperative stroke after carotid endarterectomy is an uncommon event, and differences by racial and ethnic subgroups are not described fully in the literature. ⋯ There was no difference between the racial and ethnic groups and the proportion of postoperative stroke among patients undergoing revascularization for asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
-
In 2016, the World Health Organization updated its classification of tumors, adding genetic profiles to the conventional histopathologic typing. ⋯ The present case underscores the significant role of a molecular genetic analysis in the differential diagnosis of intramedullary spinal gliomas.